American is failing because of a radical right wing agenda, corporate communism, corporate media, capitalism is great mentality, America is the greatest country in the world idealism, complacent, and simple minded voters.

American is failing because of a radical right wing agenda, corporate communism, corporate media, capitalism is great mentality, America is the greatest country in the world idealism, complacent, and simple minded voters.

My personal thoughts are that Europe should never have created the European Union. It has created a central bank that serves all countries within the union. This is bad because what is a needed prescription for one country is counter to another. Case in point is Greece versus Germany. Germany, (and here is where I differ from your broad analyses of Europe not maintaining growth), has enjoyed a 6% growth rate in the last couple of years, while Greece has ran deficits, and was hit very hard during the financial crises created by American Financial institutions due to the banking law deregulations pushed, written, and demanded by the banks themselves, (But that is a whole other can of worms that would have me ranting all day) . If Greece would have a independent currency along with a sovereign central bank, it could have devalued its currency to meet its debt obligations. In other words, print money to pay off debt. It would have lead to inflation on foreign imported goods, a destruction of accumulated wealth, and higher interest rates to borrow, it still better then outright default on debt that they are challenge with now. The currency devaluation would have given Greece a distinct advantage, their export products would have become very cheap to other countries, thus a mechanism to restore employment to pre-recession levels. This would have allowed Greece to pull itself out of recession. The austerity measures imposed by the European Central Bank are counter to growth for Greece due to a lack of stimulant or some trigger to kick start the economy. Defunding the social programs during a time of recession takes money out of the system and thus reduces any multiplier effect. Consumer demand drops due to the shrinking money supply and unemployment rises even higher, due to both drop in consumer demand and a drop in investment due to extremely high interest rates. This leaving Greece with a perpetual problem of not allowing itself to crawl out of a hole.

The shared currency, namely the Euro, would upset Germanys heated economy if the Euro would be devalued. If the currency would be individualized as pre-European Union, Germany would have the ability to tighten its money supply, keeping interest rates relatively high, as to avoid inflation which acts countercyclical to profits and return on investment. Greece on the other hand would not be able to avoid inflationary pressures, but could avoid hyper unemployment, which would put money back into their economy, thus allowing them to grow out of their debt crises. This notion that Greece needs austerity measures in non-sense.

There is two ways to get out of debt, cut spending and or tax more, which intern take money out of the system into areas of non-productive growth, paying debt and interest does not create jobs or spur growth. The second is how the U.S. managed to move form a huge deficit to a surplus and balance budged after WWII, grow your way out.

The argument we are having in Washington today is almost , well, Insane. To put it in a perspective of a household, if you owe allot of money on car payments, new flat screen TVs, high mortgage, ect, there is two ways to get yourself out of the hole, cuts in your budget by cutting back on eating out, vacations, hotdogs instead of steak, ect. Or you can find a job that pays more or demand a raise. When unemployment is at 9.2%, you are lucky just to have a job, just ask your employer, I am sure he will remind you of that every day. To cut spending to pay off debt is not a constructive option, because we move into the stalemate of decreasing consumer demand, this means no raises, no job opportunities, ect. Lack of demand means little or no inflation, or worst yet, deflation. This compounds a debt crises for consumers, but great for bankers. Why, because bankers know inflation is destructive to profits. If you take a loan out for say $10,000 over a term of 10 years at 10% interest, bankers factor in inflation levels to project realized gains. If inflation averages 3% a year, the return on interest the first year is only 7%. The return on interest deteriorates exponentially because each year, 3% is compounded on top of the previous 3%. When growth is stagnant, leading to lower wages, and inflation is non-existent, it puts a greater burden on folks trying to pay off debt. Cutting spending increases unemployment, keeps inflation relatively low, and makes paying off debt even more difficult. This contributes to banks experiencing higher profits at the expense of middle class consumers, (just one reason, but I won't go their). We can go full circle and see why austerity measures is bad for Greece and bad for the U.S. right now.

A recessions force interest rates to be very low, this means banks can do what is called proprietary trading and carrier trading. Carrier trading and proprietary trading is taking cheap or free money for the federal reserve and taking retained earnings and investors money, respectfully, and invest into high growth economies, Germany, China, India, or Australia for example that command a much higher interest rate then can be obtained here in the U.S.. This carries two risks, first is the debtor meeting debt obligations, normal risk, and the investment made in the FX market, (foreign currency exchange market). The currency intended to be loaned in foreign countries must be converted onto that nations currency. The bet banks make is that the currency in question remain equal or strengthens relative to the dollar. In other words, the banks have an interest in seeing the dollar remains week or for that matter, is devalued while foreign investments or outstanding. It is basically two risks or two investment in one transaction. A conspiracy theorist could make an argument that the austerity measure we are witnessing in Congress today, is manufactured to manipulate a assured profit.

We know that politicians are owned by Corporations and the Big Banks, this is undisputable, the evidence reveals that statement to be too transparent. Austerity measures may make millionaires billionaires, but does little to create jobs or create equitable wealth across the spectrum of social groups. If what I wrote makes you pause and say, I never thought of it that way, then realize that what seems common in sense, and spoon fed by politicians to their constitutes, is not so simple, it is almost always much more complex then it appears on the surface. Unsolicited advice is almost always self serving. This is why I find it so frustrating convincing a simple minded voter that they are simply tools of the rich and well connected. As long as the simple minded keep carrying the water of one lined politicians that are beholden to the wealthy, this county is distained to despair of its ever shrinking middle class. Tax cuts for the rich to spur investment is a illusion created by the corporate media. Even a astute layman can concur that two or three trillion dollars currently sitting in the coffers of corporations does not logically equate too job creation and U.S. investment.

Neo Classical theorist, clinging Says Law which derived supply side economics is bankrupt, it is a classical Keynesian paradox, were only a Keynesian solution will suffice. To parity James Carvel's now famous statement, "Its a demand problem stupid". No amount of corporate giveaways or tax cuts to the rich will create one job in the U.S.. Demand must be artificially created to put Americans back to work. Corporate drafted trade agreement pushed by their puppet politicians need to be revisited. Infrastructure investment must be appropriated to fill the void of a slumping housing market. Tax incentives to offshore jobs must be eliminated and even be attached with punitive penalties. More must be done in way of education, were HB1 visas should be replaced by educational investment not by the tax payer, but the corporations it serves. And most of all, once proud union labor must once again carry the support of the American people, were a shrinking middle class and poor rally united demanding their voice to be heard, that low wage jobs are not an expectable form of employment. Profits cannot be made by made on the backs of cheap labor weather in China or in the U.S.. And lastly, manufactures can no longer put profits over quality, were the American consumers demand first class quality from American manufactures.

Germany! Why does a country that is described as a socialist democracy have a 6% growth rate, while maintaining strong employees unions, strong social safety nets, healthcare for all, and a solvent retirement system. Why does Germany maintain such a well educated workforce and a infrastructure that put U.S. to shame. 6% growth with a extremely high tax burden placed on all its citizens and business. After all, the Capitalist criticized, even ridiculed Germany for years. Two much vacations, unsustainable healthcare system, too generous of a pension plan. They claimed only a free market, unregulated, under taxed, feed the rich and the crumbs will fall, is the prescription to prosperity. Instead, it revealed the demise of this great nation.

"America" is failing due to its neglect in the education system, as demonstrated by your poor use of grammar and spelling in your original post. We are raising a bunch of idiots that, unfortunately, represent the future of this country.

i swear, people have zero lives to have to bring political conversations to every friggin web site on the internet. How the hell does a topic like this get started in the Automotive section on Amazon.com? Is it because you have nothing better to do? Or do you think that your views of our political system are so unique that you must spread them to every website on the internet, because none of us are smart enough to know whats wrong with America, and you figured it out on your own? I come here to find information on tires and all I see is a bunch of political debate.....ridiculous, go get laid, run for congress and try and fix the problem, or just accept the fact that until everyone decides to get off their lazy a**es, and get out in front of their computers, nothing will change......Did you really think that someone was going to see your post and say "wow, this guy just figured out why America is failing.....holy crap, someone get the President on the phone"..........its not happening, so while you are trolling around here, why dont you tell me what size tires I can fit on my Durango with the stock lift?

What exactly is corporate communism? Wait - don't answer that!Mr. Malin certainly has time to do a lot of thinking, but no time for spelling and grammar. Priorities, you know. Lotta websites out there. I just got new tires on my 2005 Grand Marquis after 40,000 miles. My mechanic thinks I should get my front end aligned. But that's such a pain.What do you think Anthony?

I think you better buy your Chinese tires before they will not sell to us any longer. That's what I think.Excuse me, how do you spell corporate communism? By the way, it is when government supports monopolies through subsidies, tax incentives, and regulations that favor one entity. Can you see this in America today? Hmmmm. Or are you just worried about tires and not how you will be able to afford those tires in a year or two?

A. Thompson are you here to discuss or to try and belittle people? From my perspective it appears you are here to mock and belittle people. Mr. Malin did an excellent job of explaining what corporate communism is so I won't delve into that any further. What I AM calling into question is your lack of common courtesy or to me more precise lack thereof. In other words don't be a troll or a smart ass - no one likes a smart ass. R.P. McClafferty this applies equally as much if not more so to you as well. If you guys do not like the topic then by all means exercise your right to not having to read it by simply not reading it... think of it like a radio station that plays a song you don't want to hear instead of calling up the radio station to gripe at the DJ you simply change the station, right? Same principle, different media form.

As for your tires Mr. Thompson it sounds like the prior set was either cheap or heavily used if all you got was 40,000 miles out of them although that could be why your mechanic suggested a front end alignment. Go with the front end alignment and rotate your tires about the same time you get your oil changed - as a rule of thumb - and you should get some decent life from your tires.

Anthynz, once again you have come to my rescue, good to have old friends in my corner. To the folks who were looking for tires and tires sizes in a post site that asks "Why is America Failing", and then accuse me of being, shall I say, uneducated, well, you are the ones looking or tires were the conversation is "Why is America Failing". Did you really think their maybe tires here? One could question your intelligence.

My apologies to anyone who maybe bewildered on why someone might post "Why is America Failing", on a Amazon Automotive Site. This is a legitimate question that deserves a legitimate response. This is a continuation of a conversation in which was born from a almost three year old topic " Why is GM failing". What the more intelligent poster have conclude is that the reason GM is failing stems from a more systemic problems that America is failing. I felt it more appropriate to shift away from the question of GM's failure to Americas failure. It may have been poor judgment on my behalf to select the automotive section, but after all, the big three at one time was the pillar of our economy.

As for R. P. McClafferty, your Durango is a gas guzzler, you should have cashed in for a rebate for cash for clunkers. You are part of the problem when addressing our nation's energy crises. Everyone must pay higher gas prices because you choose to drive a vehicle that gets 14 MPG on a good day.

Mr. Thompson, your 2005 Mercury is worn out at 40,000 miles already? What do you means getting an alignment is a pain, are you going to crawl under it and do it yourself. What your car says about you is that you are a bitter old man, driving your boat down the highway. Since you asked my advice about your car, here is what I think. Your left turn signal has been on for the last 30 miles, turn it off, it really is announcing too the more youthful drivers.

Posted on Jul 31, 2011 4:20:47 PM PDTR. P. McClafferty says:i swear, people have zero lives to have to bring political conversations to every friggin web site on the internet. How the hell does a topic like this get started in the Automotive section on Amazon.com? ......Did you really think that someone was going to see your post and say "wow, this guy just figured out why America is failing.....holy crap, someone get the President on the phone"..........its not happening, so while you are trolling around here, why dont you tell me what size tires I can fit on my Durango with the stock lift?

I would not trade my Durango in for the cash for clunkers program even if it got 14 gallons per mile, because i use it to tow my gigantic boat that will use 50 gallons of gas in a single weekend....my gas guzzling vehicles are not the problem. Money hungry people in the oil business are the problem, but i don't care either way, i like my gas guzzling truck, and there is no way i'm towing a 25 foot boat with a smart car. So am i supposed to sell all my gas using toys just because some people are concerned about an energy crisis that no one really knows exists for sure?, we only know what we are told by people who want an excuse for raising oil prices to line their own pockets. I also heard that we have enough oil in our own country to last the next 150 years.....is it all b.s.?, who the hell knows, so you might as well enjoy the toys you have and live your short time on this planet in a way that you can look back on your tiny existence and say that you lived it to the fullest, not sitting around debating with people online about things that we don't have control over, and probably never will. So I am going to drive around in my gas guzzling truck, pulling my gas guzzling boat, and i am going to enjoy every minute of it, and no amount of political nonsense will ever sway me.

We're just waiting for election day... Fixing our old stuff if we can't afford to replace it. Saving money. Helping our friends and neighbors. Seriously folks can't pay off their debt if they aren't spending less. Nothing is going to change until people have their personal debt paid down enough that they have "breathing room" in their personal budgets - regardless of what the politicians and 24 hour news channels want to ramble on about.

Personally I'm spending time with my kids and wife, doing chores and fixing stuff that needs it, and studying a little to keep up with the newest technology in my field of employment.

"To the folks who were looking for tires and tires sizes in a post site that asks "Why is America Failing", and then accuse me of being, shall I say, uneducated, well, you are the ones looking or tires were the conversation is "Why is America Failing". Did you really think their maybe tires here? One could question your intelligence."

... Really? You're the one posting about politics in an Amazon AUTOMOTIVE forum. With poor grammar. And you accuse him of being off topic.

I also am accusing him of being off topic - and the reasoning for this particular posting in this particular section has already been established but perhaps you missed that. And again I can only say that if one does not like the fact that this particular posting is here in this particular section then by all means feel free to not read or comment. As in my post above I liken this to a radio station - if you do not like the channel then change the channel to something different or in this case if you are looking for tires and tires sizes go into a posting that reflects that rather than a politically charged posting.

I suppose, I would have to reluctantly agree, despite the buzz and drama, historically there IS NO generation who successfully left a better world for their "kids and grand kids". Its an ideal that sounds great but face facts, the world gets exponentially worse each year and has been doing so for a couple hundred years.

The most immediate effect on me, and probably others as well, is the unnecessary complication in life. There are so many rules, and they change as often as not. Before cell phones I had never heard of a "termination fee". Now it is so ingrained into society that it has become normalized.

We are working to simplify our lives as we have realized that many of life's conveniences have become a drag on us. I've never had a cellphone. I work with technology everyday but the need to own one has only briefly and occasionally come up over the years. My wife has a pay as you go cell that costs us about $15 per month but we let it expire from time to time and we never ever use up the allotted minutes. That's several hundred dollars still in our pockets each year. And I'm not down on anyone who chooses to have a cellphone. Spend as you like.

We've had used and small cars for most our married lives. We're still driving our only new car at 223K miles and it's still good. Don't want to invest in 15 mpg. I just don't - not on a regular basis.

We recently switched to a Roku and killed off our Dish Network subscription after nearly 15 years. We had to have a 150 channel package to view 6-8 favorite channels. Pointless. We have $24 per month worth of Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu. We might do away with Amazon's video service though at the end of the trial period b/c it doesn't offer much that Netflix doesn't offer for the same price and Netflix has more content. Sorry Amazon. In another week I'll know for sure.